Apparatus for supporting automotive tires

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for supporting automotive tires is provided having a hanger pin adapted to fit through the mount hole of a vehicle wheel. The apparatus is intended to be installed on an automotive hoist at a height approximately the same as that of a tire of a vehicle disposed on the hoist. A worker removing a wheel from the vehicle disposed on the hoist can thus hang the wheel on the apparatus without significantly bending at the waist.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for handlingvehicle wheels and more particularly to an apparatus for supportingvehicle wheels that have been temporarily removed from a vehicledisposed on a lift or hoist.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Automotive maintenance and repair is often made more convenientby lifting the automobile on a hydraulic or electric lift or hoist,thereby providing easy access to the vehicle's undercarriage. Thisaccess may be enhanced by temporarily removing the vehicle's wheels.Also, some automotive maintenance (i.e., tire rotation or brakemaintenance) requires removal of the wheels. However, the tire/wheelassemblies tend to be very heavy. A single tire/wheel assembly can weigh40-45 pounds for a car, and 65-70 pounds for a truck.

[0005] When a wheel is temporarily removed from a vehicle elevated on ahoist, the individual removing that wheel must temporarily dispose of itin some way. Typically, the individual bends over and places the wheelon the floor. Later, the individual must similarly bend to lift thewheel off the floor for reinstallation on the vehicle. Individualsengaged in this type of repeated lifting procedure may sustain painand/or injuries due to back strain, muscle strain and the like. To avoidpossible injury, individuals removing such tires have sometimes beenknown to carry the tire out of the work area to a table or other surfaceon which the tire can be placed temporarily without requiring theindividual to bend over. Such transportation of the tire away from thework area results in wasted time and effort. Also, carrying the heavytire/wheel assembly speeds worker fatigue.

[0006] Various devices have been proposed to assist individuals inhandling tire/wheel assemblies when mounting and removing them fromvehicles disposed on hoists. These devices include various types oflifts, carts and dollies for lifting and handling the tires. Althoughthey may help workers to remove and support tires from a vehicleelevated on a lift, these devices can cause problems of their own, suchas cluttering up the work space and being quite expensive to purchaseand maintain. Also, these lifts, carts and dollies may be complicated touse.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, it is a principal object and advantage of thepresent invention to overcome some or all of these limitations and toprovide an improved tire support apparatus that is inexpensive, iseasily accessible within the work space, is small and will remain out ofthe way, and will not require workers to bend over to temporarilydispose of a vehicle tire.

[0008] In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention providesa tire support apparatus having a front plate mounted onto a verticalsupport of a vehicle hoist. A support bracket attached to the frontplate holds a support arm. Once a vehicle has been elevated on thehoist, a worker removes a tire/wheel assembly, carries it to the tiresupport apparatus, and hangs the tire on the support arm. Thus, theworker does not have to bend over to temporarily dispose of the tire andthe tire hangs out of the way until the worker is ready to reinstall itonto the vehicle. Since the tire support apparatus fits onto thevertical support of the hoist, it does not clutter up the garage workspace. Also, the elegantly simple design of the apparatus allows forinexpensive manufacture and easy use.

[0009] In accordance with another embodiment, the present inventionprovides a tire support apparatus having a pair of mount plates pulledtoward each other by fasteners operating between the plates. The pair ofmount plates is used to secure the tire support apparatus to anautomotive hoist. The plates are disposed on opposing surfaces of ahoist member and the bolts operating between the plates pull the platestowards each other to, in effect, squeeze the hoist member and securethe apparatus thereon. A pivot pin extends between the mount plates anda support arm is pivotable about the pivot pin and has a hangerextending therefrom. In a variation of this embodiment, the support armis pivotable between open and closed positions. The closed positioncorresponds to a condition in which the support arm is pushed out of theway and the open position corresponds to the condition in which thesupport arm extends from the hoist and can receive a tire on its hanger.Optionally, a spring and ball detent mechanism is installed into thesupport arm and holes corresponding to the open and closed positions aredrilled into the second mount plate. In this manner, the spring and balldetent mechanism releasably secures the support arm in the open andclosed positions.

[0010] In accordance with another embodiment, the present inventionprovides a tire support apparatus with a hanger tool disposed on a mountbody. The mount body is disposed on an automotive hoist so that themount body is at about the same height as a tire of a vehicle elevatedon the hoist. Thus, a worker removing the tire from the vehicle on thehoist can temporarily hang the tire on the hanger tool without bendingsignificantly at the waist.

[0011] In accordance with another embodiment, the present inventionprovides a method for temporary disposal of an automotive tire/wheelassembly including the steps of elevating a vehicle on the hoist;removing a tire/wheel assembly from the vehicle; and placing the wheelon a support arm installed on the hoist.

[0012] In accordance with another embodiment, the present inventionprovides an automotive hoist having means for supporting a tire/wheelassembly and means for mounting the supporting means to the hoist.

[0013] For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantagesachieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of theinvention have been described herein above. Of course, it is to beunderstood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may beachieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention.Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that theinvention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves oroptimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein withoutnecessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught orsuggested herein.

[0014] All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope ofthe invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of thepresent invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in theart from the following detailed description of the preferred embodimentshaving reference to the attached figures, the invention not beinglimited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a tiresupport apparatus having features and advantages in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the tire support apparatus of FIG.1;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a portion of the tire support apparatusof FIG. 1 showing the support bracket, detent mechanism and the swivelmovement of the support arm;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of atire support bracket having features and advantages in accordance withthe present invention;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an electric lift and thedevices of FIGS. 1 and 4 disposed on the lift;

[0020]FIG. 6 is a close up cutaway view of the lift of FIG. 5 showingthe devices of FIGS. 1 and 4 in more detail;

[0021]FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of a support brackethaving features and advantages in accordance with the present invention;and

[0022]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a tiresupport apparatus having features and advantages in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] The tire support apparatus of the present invention can becombined with a conventional electric or hydraulic lift or othersuitable lift or hoist which supports a vehicle in an elevated position,as is conventional practice when servicing various components of avehicle.

[0024] FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment of a tire supportapparatus 20 having features of the present invention. FIGS. 5 and 6show the tire support apparatus 20 installed on a vertical supportmember 24 of an electric lift 22. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mountbody 28 is provided comprising a set of L-brackets 32, 34, a front plate38, and a support bracket 40 which are secured onto the vertical member24 of the lift 22 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Side and back L-brackets, 32, 34grasp the lift member 24. Fasteners 36 such as bolts and nuts secure theL-brackets 32, 34 tightly together around the hoist member 24. The frontplate 38 is fastened to the L-brackets 32, 34. The support bracket 40 isdisposed on the front plate 38, has top and bottom members 42, 44, and apivot pin or bolt 46 extending between the top and bottom members 42,44.

[0025] A support body 48 comprising a support arm 50 and a hanger pin orspindle 54 is held by the mount body 28. The support arm 50 is disposedbetween the top and bottom members 42, 44 of the support bracket 40. Thepivot pin 46 extends through the support arm 50 near a first end 56 ofthe arm 50, allowing the arm 50 to pivot about the pivot pin 46. Thehanger pin or spindle 54 is about 3-10 inches long and extends from asecond end 58 of the support arm 50 in a direction slightly upward froma horizontal plane. The pin or spindle 54 is preferably coned or roundedat its distal end 60 to facilitate easy insertion through a mount holeof a tire/wheel assembly, although this feature is not central topracticing the invention.

[0026]FIG. 3 shows the swivel action of the support arm 50 about thesubstantially vertical pivot pin 46. Dark lines depict the support arm50 disposed in what is referred to as a closed position; shadow linesshow the support arm 50 disposed in what is referred to as an openposition. A detent mechanism 62 is optionally provided to retain thesupport arm in either the open or closed positions. The detent mechanism62 includes a spring 64 and ball 66, as shown in FIG. 2, disposed withina cavity formed in the support arm 50. Holes 70, 72 are formed in thebottom member 44 of the support bracket 40 in positions corresponding tothe open and closed positions, respectively, of the support arm 50. Theholes 70, 72 are sized so that the ball 66 cannot pass completelytherethrough. As the support arm 50 is swiveled about the pivot pin 46,the spring 64 is compressed, pushing the ball 66 against the bottommember 44 of the support bracket 40. When the ball 66 and spring 64reach a hole, the spring 64 forces the ball 66 partially into the hole.The resulting resistance discourages further swiveling of the supportarm 50. This resistance can be overcome by application of moderatelateral force.

[0027] The tire support apparatus 20 is preferably mounted on thevertical support member 24 of a lift or hoist 22 at a height roughlycorresponding to the height of a vehicle wheel's mounting holes when thevehicle is elevated on the hoist 22. Typically, a vehicle disposed on alift or hoist 22 is elevated to about chest high or above relative to aworker. Thus, it is anticipated that the preferred height will be aboutchest high to the average worker. However, worker heights vary andworkers have individual preferences as to how high the vehicle islifted. Some may prefer the vehicle to be about chest high or lower;however, some may prefer the vehicle to be lifted completely overhead.Thus, it is anticipated that the preferred mounting height will bebetween about three feet to seven feet above the floor. Since it isanticipated that the typical worker will raise the vehicle to aboutchest high, the most likely range of preferred installation height isbetween about four to five and one half feet from the floor.

[0028] To use the tire support apparatus 20, a vehicle is first elevatedinto place by the hoist 22. A worker then pivots the support arm 50 ofthe tire support apparatus 20 to the open position. A tire/wheelassembly is removed from the vehicle and held in the worker's arms. Theworker steps over to the tire support apparatus 20 and guides a mountinghole of the tire/wheel assembly over the hanger pin 54 of the tiresupport apparatus 20. The worker then releases the tire/wheel assembly,letting it hang. When the maintenance or repair work on the vehicle iscomplete, the worker grasps the tire/wheel assembly and pulls it clearof the hanger pin 54. After reinstalling the wheel onto the vehicle, theworker pushes the support arm 50 to the closed position. Thus, the tiresupport apparatus 20 is conveniently accessible when in use but does notget in the way when not in use. Also, back strain is avoided because theworker does not have to bend over while holding a heavy tire; time issaved because the worker does not have to walk far to dispose of thetire on a table; and workplace clutter is avoided because the device isout of the way when not in use.

[0029] Although the above discussed embodiment is a preferred embodimentof this invention, it is a prototype intended to test the concept ofhaving a tire support disposed on an automotive hoist. It is anticipatedthat other models and embodiments will be developed using this conceptof temporarily storing a tire on a support extending from a hoist. Othersuch embodiments are discussed below.

[0030] The L-brackets 32, 34, front plate 38 and support bracket 40 ofthe embodiment described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 collectivelyfunction as a hanger support apparatus or mount body 28 for supportingthe support arm 50 and spindle or pin 54 or another type of support body48 when the tire/wheel assembly is rested thereon. The mount body 28also secures the support body 48 in its place relative to the hoist 22.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of constructionsmay be used for this mount body 28, some of which are discussed below asother embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments of the mount bodymay involve multiple-piece construction, single-piece construction ormay comprise other means, such as a weld or bolts, for securing asupport body to the hoist 22. Similarly, alternative embodiments of thehanger body or support body are discussed below.

[0031]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a tiresupport bracket 120 having features of the present invention. The tiresupport bracket 120 is preferably mounted on a horizontal support memberor lift arm 26 of an electric or hydraulic hoist 22, as shown in FIGS. 5and 6. The tire support bracket 120 comprises a mount body 128 havingtop and bottom mount plates 130, 132 which, when installed on a hoist22, are disposed on opposite sides of the horizontal lift arm 26. Bolts136 operate between the top and bottom mount plates 130, 132 to pull theplates together about the lift arm 26. A pivot pin or bolt 146 isdisposed between the plates 130, 132 and a support arm 150 is disposedthereon. The support arm 150 swivels or pivots in a substantiallyhorizontal plane about the substantially vertical pivot pin or bolt 146.A spacer 156 on the pivot pin 148 may be provided, as needed, toaccommodate the difference in thickness between the lift arm 26 and thetire support arm 150. The proximal end 152 of the support arm has ahanger pin or spindle 154 disposed thereon. A detent mechanism ispreferably provided to releasably hold the support arm 150 in either anopen or closed position. In use, this embodiment operates in a mannersimilar to the tire support apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1 and discussedabove. However, the mount body 128 of this tire support bracket 120enables it to be mounted differently than the above embodiment.

[0032] For illustrative purposes, both a tire support apparatus 20 and atire support bracket 120 are depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 disposed on asingle hoist 22. These Figures are intended to show possible positionsof these embodiments on the hoist 22, but are not meant to imply thatboth embodiments must be disposed together, as shown. In practice, suchembodiments of the present invention may be disposed on the verticalmember 24 of the hoist 22 only, on the horizontal member 26 only, onboth, or combined in any useful manner.

[0033] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of furtherembodiments having features of the present invention can be createdusing the same principle as the above-described embodiments. Forinstance, FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a support bracket 240having features of the present invention. The support bracket 240comprises left and right members. A pivot pin or bolt 246 extendsgenerally horizontally between the members. A support arm 250 isdisposed on the support bracket 240, has a hanger pin or spindle 254extending therefrom, and pivots within a substantially vertical planeabout the pivot pin 246. The closed position of the support arm 250,shown in dark lines, is generally vertical; the open position isgenerally horizontal. A support rod 256 is preferably disposed on thesupport bracket 240 so that the support arm 250 rests upon the supportrod 256 when in an open position. The support rod 256 prevents thesupport arm 250 from pivoting below a horizontal plane or otherpredetermined position. A clip 260 accepts the support arm 250 andreleasably holds it in the vertical closed position.

[0034] The spindle or pin 54, 154, 254 extending from the support arm50, 150, 250 of the tire support apparatus 20, 120 or support bracket240 can be of various lengths, depending on the number of tire/wheelassemblies intended to be hung thereon. An embodiment intended to hold asingle tire/wheel assembly will have a hanger pin 54, 154, 254 of about3 to 5 inches in length. However, a pin 54, 154, 254 intended to holdtwo or more such wheels may be about 10 inches or more in length.Preferably, a hole (not shown) is drilled into the support arm 50, 150,250 into which the pin 54, 154, 254 is inserted. A weld preferablysecures the pin 54, 154, 254 in place, although the hole and pin 54,154, 254 may be threaded to facilitate a threaded connection.Alternatively, the pin 54, 154, 254 can be secured to the end of thesupport arm 50, 150, 250 by a weld alone. The pin 54, 154, 254 may alsobe retractable within the support arm 50, 150, 250 if desired.

[0035] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the support arm 50,150, 250 and pin 54, 154, 254 may be formed of a single piece ofmaterial. As shown in FIG. 8, an embodiment of a hanger arm 354 havingfeatures of the present invention is shaped such that a first end 356communicates with the support bracket 340 and a second end 358 is sizedand adapted to fit through a mount hole of the vehicle wheel.

[0036] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the spindle orpin 54 provides a support body to hang or rest a tire/wheel assemblythereon. Various other methods and types of hangers and support bodiesmay be suitably employed, such as, for example, a spike, hook, clasp,bolt, peg, dowel, bar or an arcuate member adapted to fit the inside rimof the tire/wheel assembly.

[0037] A number of other structures may be used to employ the principleof supporting the tire/wheel assembly. For instance, in one embodimenthaving features of the present invention, the support body 48 maycomprise an arcuate cradle (not shown) extending from the mount body 28of the tire support apparatus 20. The cradle is adapted to receive atire therein and enables a worker to rest the tire in the cradle. Yetanother embodiment of a tire support may include a plurality of armsextending from the tire support apparatus, which arms are adapted tocradle a tire/wheel assembly therein.

[0038] In a still further embodiment, an arm extending from the hoist 22holds a cradle just below a still-installed tire of a vehicle disposedon the hoist. The cradle is adapted to receive and hold a tire therein.When the tire is removed from the vehicle, it rests in the cradlewithout having to be lifted into place. The cradle and arm are thenswung, telescoped or otherwise pushed out of the way to enablemaintenance of the vehicle. To reinstall the tire, the cradle is broughtinto a position so that the tire is reinstallable onto the vehiclewithout having to be lifted into place.

[0039] A tire support apparatus 20 for use on a vertical hoist member 24can also be adapted to be adjustable in height, if desired. Toaccomplish this, the tire support apparatus 20 of FIG. 1 is adjusted sothat the L-brackets 32, 34 do not fit tightly about the support member24. The tire support apparatus 20 may then be moved vertically by anysuitable means, such as a chain, wire, rope, gears, pulleys or by hand,and held in place by set screws, bolts, brackets or pins disposed in thefront plate 38 of the tire support apparatus 20.

[0040]FIG. 8 shows yet another embodiment having features of the presentinvention. A tire support apparatus 320 of adjustable height is providedfor use on a vertical hoist member 24. A bar 330 is welded or otherwisesecured on the hoist member 24 in a generally vertical orientation. Thebar 330 has generally horizontal holes 332 extending therethrough. Asupport bracket 340 is slidably disposed on the vertical bar 330. Holes342 are formed in the bracket 340, through which a lock pin 344 can beinserted. The lock pin 344 extends through both the bracket hole 342 anda bar hole 332 to hold the bracket 340 in place on the bar 330. Asupport arm or hanger 354 is held by the support bracket 340.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in addition to apivot pin, alternative means may enable a support arm to swivel betweenthe open and closed positions. Such optional structures include, forexample, a hinge, bearing, swivel or axle.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of methodsmay be used to secure a tire support apparatus 20 to a hoist 22. Forexample, the tire support bracket 120 of FIG. 4 is secured to ahorizontal hoist member 26 by bolts pulling opposing plates 130, 132together. A variation of this method can be used to secure a tiresupport apparatus 20 to a vertical hoist member 24. Also, holes may bedrilled through the vertical 24 or horizontal 26 hoist members tofacilitate securing a mount body, such as a support bracket, directly tothe hoist 22 by screws or bolts.

[0043] In another embodiment having features of the present invention,the tire support apparatus 20 of FIG. 1 may be altered so that the frontplate 38 is welded or otherwise secured onto a hoist member. The supportbracket 40 remains bolted or welded onto the front plate 38. The supportarm 50 is pivotably disposed in the support bracket 40 in a manner asdiscussed above. Similarly, in yet another embodiment having features ofthe present invention, the support bracket 40 may be welded or bolteddirectly to a hoist member without employing a front plate 38. Also,rather than having separate top and bottom members, the support bracket40 can alternatively be constructed of a single piece. In still furtherembodiments having features of the present invention, the support armmay be welded directly to a hoist member or secured by a mount body suchas a bracket, plate or hinge welded to the hoist member. Also, a supportbody can be welded directly to the hoist 22.

[0044] The apparatus described in the above embodiments are preferablyconstructed of aluminum. However, other suitably strong metals, such assteel or even high tensile plastics, may be appropriate.

[0045] Although this invention has been disclosed in the context ofcertain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalentsthereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventionherein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosedembodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fairreading of the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tire support apparatus for use in associationwith an automotive hoist for supporting a tire/wheel assembly,comprising: a mount body disposed on the hoist; and a support bodydisposed on the mount body, the support body being sized and adapted toreceive a tire/wheel assembly placed thereon.
 2. The tire supportapparatus of claim 1 wherein the mount body comprises a front plate,means for mounting the front plate onto the hoist, and a support bracketdisposed on the front plate, and the support body comprises a supportarm having first and second ends, the support arm pivotably supported bythe support bracket at the first end and having a spindle disposed onthe second end, the spindle sized to fit through a mount hole of thetire/wheel assembly.
 3. The tire support apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe mount body includes a support bracket and the support body comprisesa spindle disposed on a support arm, and the support arm is pivotablysupported by the support bracket.
 4. The tire support apparatus of claim1 wherein the support body is pivotable relative to the hoist.
 5. Thetire support apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means forreleasably holding the support body in open and closed positions.
 6. Thetire support apparatus of claim 4 wherein the support body swivels in asubstantially horizontal plane.
 7. The tire support apparatus of claim 4wherein the support body swivels in a substantially vertical plane, andfurther comprising means for stopping the support body from swivelingbelow a predetermined position.
 8. The tire support apparatus of claim 1wherein the mount body is at about the same height as a tire/wheelassembly mounted on a vehicle disposed on the hoist.
 9. The tire supportapparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the heightof the mount body relative to the hoist.
 10. The tire support apparatusof claim 7 wherein the apparatus is constructed of aluminum.
 11. Thetire support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mount body comprises aweld.
 12. The tire support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hoistcomprises a vertical support, and the mount body is disposed on thevertical support at a height about 4-5½ feet from the floor.
 13. Anautomotive hoist, comprising: at least one substantially verticalsupport member; a plurality of substantially horizontal lift arms, thelift arms being vertically movable and adapted to support an automobiledisposed thereon; and at least one tire support arm on at least one ofsaid vertical support member or horizontal lift arms for supporting anautomotive tire/wheel assembly.
 14. The automotive hoist of claim 13wherein the tire support arm is disposed on at least one of thehorizontal lift arms.
 15. The automotive hoist of claim 13 wherein thetire support arm is disposed on the vertical support at a height betweenabout 3-7 feet from a floor.
 16. The automotive hoist of claim 15wherein the tire support arm is disposed at about the same height as atire of an automobile elevated on the hoist.
 17. The automotive hoist ofclaim 15 wherein the tire support arm is disposed at a height such thatan individual removing the tire/wheel assembly from the automobile willnot have to bend significantly at the waist to hang the tire/wheelassembly on the support arm.
 18. A method for temporarily retaining avehicle wheel, comprising the steps of: elevating a vehicle on anautomotive hoist so that a support arm disposed on the hoist is at aboutthe same height as a wheel of the vehicle; removing the wheel from thevehicle; placing the wheel on the support arm; removing the wheel fromthe support arm substantially without bending over; and reinstalling thewheel onto the vehicle.
 19. The method according to claim 18 wherein thesupport arm is pivotable relative to the hoist between open and closedpositions, and further comprising the steps of pivoting the support armto the open position prior to removing the wheel from the vehicle, andpivoting the support arm to the closed position after removing the wheelfrom the support arm.
 20. The method according to claim 18 wherein thesupport arm is installed on a vertical support member of the hoist at aheight about chest high to a person.
 21. The method according to claim18 wherein the support arm is installed on the hoist such that anindividual removing the wheel from the vehicle does not have to bendsignificantly at the waist to guide the wheel over the hanger.
 22. Themethod according to claim 18 wherein the support arm is installed on avertical support member of the hoist in a manner so that the height ofthe support arm is adjustable, and further comprising the step ofadjusting the height of the support arm to be about chest high to anindividual executing the method prior to elevating the vehicle on thehoist.
 23. An automotive hoist having a tire/wheel assembly supportdisposed thereon, the tire/wheel assembly support comprising: means forsupporting a tire/wheel assembly; and means for mounting the supportingmeans to the hoist.
 24. The tire support of claim 23, further comprisingmeans for pivoting the supporting means about an axis.
 25. The tiresupport of claim 24 wherein the axis is substantially vertical.
 26. Thetire support of claim 23 wherein the mounting means further comprisesmeans for adjusting the vertical position of the supporting means.